Turramurra Public School Parents and Citizens Association (P&C) meets once a term in the Staffroom. Check the newsletter for exact dates.
P and C - Introduction
Our P&C is a group of interested people that works to bring the school and the TPS community into close cooperation and supports the quality education of our children.
Parent volunteers are elected to act as an Executive Committee; however the real strength of the P&C comes from the ideas, effort and energy of all the parents who make up the membership.
The P&C’s objectives are to:
- Promote the interests of the school by fostering close co-operation between parents and the school;
- Help provide facilities and equipment; and
- Promote the recreation and welfare of the students.
The achievement of these objectives is underpinned by fundraising throughout the year. Various events and activities are co-ordinated by the P&C and run by volunteers.
Membership
Membership of the P&C is open to everyone – parents, caregivers, grandparents, teachers, and the community generally. To join, simply attend a P&C meeting and pay a membership fee ($1). Your membership is then effective from the following meeting.
Meetings
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend meetings. They are informal, friendly, and a great way to find out what is happening at school. No one is pressured to do anything at meetings - feel free to just sit and listen.
About meetings:
- Held in the staffroom, at least once a term
- Minuted, with minutes approved at the following meeting
- The Principal is a permanent P&C member who attends and presents a short report.
- Each sub-committee reports briefly on any key new activities
- The Executive Committee usually meets one week prior to general meetings
- Matters discussed generally include what activities and support the P&C will provide for the school
- Decisions about spending P&C funds are voted on (only members can vote)
What do we do with the funds we raise for the school?
The P&C raises money to finance a range of projects and programs and is subject to rules as to how money is raised, applied and accounted for. These rules are contained in the Constitution and the School Manual on Financial Management.
Requests for expenditure are considered for their support of the School’s objectives. In 2008 and 2011 we carried out strategic planning exercises to determine projects to focus on over the short, medium and longer term. This involved:
- Wide consultation with the school community;
- Assessment of project viability and cost;
- Prioritisation of viable projects (based on P&C member and school demand).
Here are just some of the initiatives funded in recent years by the P&C:
- New playground equipment at a cost of 23 thousand dollars
- Upgrades and renovations at a cost of 56 thousand dollars which included:
- Classroom refurbishment
- Improved access for prams and wheelchairs
- Improved rubbish bin system at a cost of 900 dollars
- Multipurpose court at a cost of 40 thousand dollars
- Interactive Whiteboards in all 20 classrooms at 8 thousand dollars each
- Outdoor tables and benches at a cost of 6 thousand dollars
- Kiss and Drop Shelter at a cost of 8 thousand dollars
- Air-conditioning for classrooms 3 thousand dollars per room
The P and C voluntary contribution
Parents are asked to make a voluntary P&C contribution. This is the main source of income for the P&C (used for a range of projects as voted for by members).
Class parents
At the start of each year, two volunteers from each class take on the role of ‘Class Parents’. Class Parents act as liaison between teachers and parents and help to ensure the smooth running of events at the school.
Events
Every year, the P&C oversees the running of a wide variety of events at TPS. Some are fundraisers, others are designed to bring the TPS community together, and some aim to achieve both of these goals. Events are allocated to each year group.
Each school Year (eg Year 4) is assigned to an event (or events), with the parents of the children in that Year responsible for organising the event. The Class Parents play an important coordination role.
In a typical year, events include:
- Grandparents Day
- Election Day or other fundraising
- Mother’s Day Stall
- Father’s Day Breakfast
- Year 6 Farewell
Questions and comments
Your questions and comments are always very welcome. There are several ways to contact the P&C:
- Leave a note in the P&C box at the office
- Come to a P&C meeting
- Send an email to
- General: info@tps-pandc.org.au
- President: president@tps-pandc.org.au
- Treasurer: treasurer@tps-pandc.org.au
- Secretary: secretary@tps-pandc.org.au
Volunteering
Parent volunteers are always needed, and there are myriad ways of helping out. You may:
- have expertise in a particular field that can you can contribute;
- be able to spare some time to help organise or run an event (even if it just an hour on the BBQ);
- have some good ideas to share;
- provide a donation in cash or in kind
You will find participating at TPS to be rewarding and fun. It’s great to be able to express support for your child’s education by being actively involved and actually see some results for your efforts. Keep an eye on the school newsletter for requests for volunteers, or contact the P&C.